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Local retailer signs lease for ex-Chocolate House in downtown Ann Arbor

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Nicki Wilson, owner of iT...Boutique, stands in the former Chocolate House building in downtown Ann Arbor, where she plans to relocate her boutique to later this spring.
(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)

A local retailer with a store at Briarwood Mall plans to relocate this spring to downtown Ann Arbor.

iT…Boutique owner Nicki Wilson signed a lease for the first floor of the former Chocolate House building at 330 S. Main St. Wilson plans to close her Briarwood store at the end of April and reopen in downtown Ann Arbor shortly after.

“I’m really excited and the customers are very excited for us,” Wilson said. “Many people have stopped in and said, ‘I can’t wait until you get down there.’ They are really excited about it.”

Wilson, a Saline resident who worked as a lighting designer at Gross Electric for 18 years, opened iT…Boutique at Briarwood Mall in 2007. Wilson still does some lighting design and interior design work.

Wilson said she always wanted a space in downtown Ann Arbor, but struggled to find the right property for the right price. She spent about four years looking for real estate.

Cody Bowlds of Sperry Van Ness/Stewart Commercial Group represented Wilson in the deal to relocate to 330 S. Main.

The building at 330 S. Main St. was vacated by The Chocolate House of Ann Arbor in December 2011.Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

“We’re moving because we want to be downtown. The people and the excitement and the restaurants and the little shops — there’s so much happening downtown,” she said.

She added: “I love the character of the building. It’s part of the Ann Arbor area and I think it’s perfect for our store.”

Wilson said events such as the Ann Arbor Art Fair and FestiFools help draw people downtown and generate buzz for local retailers.

The South Main Street building, located between the Prickly Pear Southwest Cafe and the former Middle Kingdom restaurant, has been vacant since The Chocolate House of Ann Arbor closed in December 2011. The Chocolate House owners said the business was struggling to turn a profit.

iT…Boutique will double in size with the move to downtown Ann Arbor. Wilson said the store sells “a little bit of everything,” from unique and custom wedding and party invitations, to home accessories and artwork.

With the relocation, Wilson plans to bring in more consignment jewelry, pottery, contemporary furniture, glass and artwork.

Wilson and her husband operate the boutique.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-623-2584, email her lizzyalfs@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.